Climate Innovation District phase two returns to Leeds City Council
Citu’s 247-home scheme remains largely unchanged from its 2021 approval, but the developer is seeking to revise its affordable housing obligations due to rising construction costs and changing market conditions.
Located in-between Clarence Road and the River Aire in Hunslet, this phase comprises 247 apartments across 12 buildings, with six commercial units totalling 8,500 sq ft.
The proposed housing mix is made up of 111 one-bedroom homes, 73 two-bedroom homes, 36 three-bedroom homes, and 27 four-bedroom homes, with building heights ranging from three to 10 storeys. The wider project team includes Zerum Consulting and Civic.
The 3.5-acre site will form part of the wider Climate Innovation District, one of Leeds’ flagship regeneration projects. Located within the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan area, the district is delivering a high-density, low-carbon neighbourhood on former industrial land close to the city centre.
According to a report due to be considered by Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel, the resubmitted application proposes no changes to the overall scale, layout or housing numbers of the approved development.
The only physical alterations relate to a 10-storey apartment building fronting Clarence Road, with internal changes made to accommodate a second staircase in response to the Building Safety Act 2022.
The application is accompanied by a new viability appraisal, which concludes that the development can no longer support the full package of planning obligations secured under the existing consent, including the policy-compliant level of affordable housing – a new level of 4.5% is suggested.
The recommendation is for the council to defer the decision to the chief planning officer.
